So you say you have a passion, and you would love to turn it into a business but you don’t know where to begin? I hear ya, I was the same way! I was always day dreaming and just letting others pass me by while watching their dreams come true.

Stop beating yourself up and roll up your sleeves and get to work. Here are a few tips on how I began Landon Lane Candle Company (from scratch) —

HAVE A VISION— After all, you have to have a vision of what you are trying to turn into a business. Are you an artist who wants to sell your art, or a party planner looking to offer your planning skills to others for a fee, or do you love animals and want extra income helping others take care of their pets? It may just be a side hustle now, but maybe it has potential for more… but you have to have a vision to begin. Write down your vision. Take out a poster board and start brainstorming ideas. Soon, you will start to see your vision on your “vision board.” It’s ok if it is a complete mess (with chicken scratch), the key is to get it down on paper so you can read it all over and soak it all in.

DO YOUR RESEARCH — A little bit of internet surfing goes a long way. I began my candle company with an amazon gift card (thanks, Mom!)! I just purchased a candle making kit to see if I even liked making candles and to see exactly how hard of a process it actually was. Once I was hooked, I researched many suppliers to find answers. I viewed tons of videos over at “YouTube University”. I mean, gah, you can learn a ton from others who are willing to share their passions!

WRITE A BUDGET — Write down all the materials you will need for a start up. Materials to include supplies, marketing materials (another subject!), subscriptions & fees, etc. Remember Rome was not built in a day, so budget for a small start. You can always grow, and besides you don’t want to invest all your money in your side hustle. You are trying to make money, after all!

MAKE A PLAN — GOSH, now this is a tricky part… failing to plan is planning to fail, so you gotta make a plan. Things to consider: Logo – how will you brand your business? Launch date – when will you launch into the public? Marketing – how will you market your business: social media, advertising, blog posts, word of mouth, etc. Banking – how will you accept payment and do you need an EIN number, etc. Don’t beat yourself up if your plans take a fork in the road along the way. Having a plan helps you reach your goals. Which leads me to my last point:

SET GOALS — I get it, setting goals is a bit scary. I mean, what if I don’t reach them…then I will be a failure, right… NOPE! That just means you will be learning along the way. And learning brings more knowledge and knowledge is power! (remember the old Saturday morning School House Rock, “knowledge is power” — ok, I am showing my age!) But really, setting goals is a good thing and once you begin checking them off, things really will start to fall into place for your new venture.

Spare time, yea right, who has that? We all do, we just have to recognize it and make it work for us instead of it getting away from us. Try to carve out 30 min a day to focus on your dream business. Or carve out an entire weekend, stay in your PJs, sip on coffee and solely focus on your business plan and goals (like I did), and you will be off to a good start. You can do it one small step at a time. Enjoy the process and know that dreams do work if you do the work!

Folks, I will admit… I am scared at the unknown. The unknown of earning a steady paycheck. The fact that I have two kids in college and another starting in a few months….. that, my friends is what you call bleeding money. Money to pay, not only for college, but basically two other homes, and food, and expenses… but for some reason… I decided to step out on a HUGE leap of faith and quit my job to become a full time photographer.

I honestly don’t know where this will lead. I mean, I have been doing photography for many, many years, but it has always been on the side or when I had extra time to fit it in.

I think that life is a crazy adventure. It’s filled with challenges that will push you to your limit. In the challenges you gain strength and guts. Guts to make a change for yourself. Guts to believe in yourself. Guts to get out and get busy. Busy doing what you love. Busy doing what you’re passionate about. I LOVE images. I love the way they make me feel when I look at them. I love the fact that by looking at an image, time just completely stopped. In that moment, through an image, you can cherish it forever. The smiles, the twinkle in the eyes, the hugs and even the laughs that you can see but you can only hear in your mind. So maybe one would call me crazy for quitting my really good job, to go out and “try” to be a full time photographer… I would like to think, rather, that God has prepared me for “such a time as this”.

You see, God places things, people, moments in our paths. He wants us to learn from these opportunities and experiences and He wants us to use it all to glorify Him. He is the one who has created it all for us. But if you are like me, you don’t always see what is right in front of you. The gifts and talents that God has given to you are for you to share. I know that is scary to share a passion, and to put yourself out there. Trust me, I totally get it. I am having a really hard time thinking about “what if no one likes my work…what if I totally fail… what if…, blah blah blah. It is really hard to push all the negative thoughts aside and to focus on how to make it work.

So, quitting my job may not be the smartest thing to do… but one thing that it is doing is making me fight 100 times harder for myself and my family…working each day to strengthen my business.

Turing this passion of mine into a reality is scary, but with God on my side, who can be against me?

Stay tuned on this journey…. either this will work, or it won’t. Now the choice is up to me.

When you add in a short drive to a beautiful and serene setting, what’s not to love! If you are looking to host or throw a destination sweet sixteen birthday party, read on!

Let’s all face it, turning 16 can be lots of work for mama’s… especially for girls! Coming up with sweet 16 birthday party ideas that will not completely break the bank is tricky! Over the years, as my three kids were celebrating birthdays, many of the parties were done right at home (and even before Pinterest, yikes!). Wonderful memories indeed! But for my daughter’s sweet 16, after brainstorming numerous ideas, we decided to have a quaint destination party that she and her friends could remember for a long time. We combined her love for horses and the outdoors, with the sun and pool and added in a photo shoot, food and lots of sugar! (What 16-year-old girl doesn’t like taking photos and eating candy?!).

The Inn at Kelly’s Ford was the perfect setting to accomplish all of our ideas. It was basically a two day, all-girl slumber party on steroids (I mean sugar)! Here are some of the highlights from her destination birthday party with ideas, and tips on saving a few bucks.

Choosing the location — The Inn at Kelly’s Ford is less than an hour from our home in the little town of Remmington, VA. Getting there was not an issue and the drive out is so pretty. No planes or trains, just automobiles to transport my daughter and her friends. Since the Inn has accommodations on the property, we booked a cottage for a night’s stay, basically allowing for two day’s worth of activities. The cottage had plenty of room for everyone and also gave my husband and me a room to escape all the girl talk!

Activities, activities and more activities — There was no boredom going on here! Lots to do to keep everyone happy. When we booked our cottage, I also booked reservations for horseback riding and canoeing— one activity for each day. Since we had LOTS of open space, I created a scavenger hunt. They divided into two teams and searched the grounds for clues. The inn has a pool on the property… perfect for swimming and soaking in the sun. The following morning, while I cleaned and packed away all the decorations and food, my husband made the canoe trek down the Rappahannock. (I wish I would have gone on that trip, but someone had to stay back and get all packed up!)

SAY CHEESE! — Since most girls love getting dressed up, and we had a perfect photo shoot setting, I took time with each girl to take photos as well as fun group shots. This was not only a way for my daughter to capture her party, but the photos were given to each of her friends as a takeaway… (Or to just use as a new profile pic!) It was nice for her brothers to stop by to wish her a happy birthday, which gave me a chance to snap a few of all three of my kiddos.

Dining Al Fresco — In keeping with the theme and not having to spend a fortune on a sit-down meal in the restaurant, we elected to order takeout food from Pelham’s Pub and have our own patio dinner decorated in, you guessed it… pink! I basically was the waitress, but at least I didn’t have to cook the meal! The Inn was nice to help deliver the take out to the patio where I set the table for the girls. The girls decided on a really fancy dinner… chicken tenders, onion rings and fries! I brought in muffins, fruits, juices, etc. for breakfast the next morning. No one’s going hungry around here!

Sixteen Candles — For many of my children’s birthdays, I have attempted to decorate cakes or cupcakes. Most times I even baked them too! (crazy, I know!) Since I wanted to get a little creative, but save time, I ordered a crumb crusted cake from the Harris Teeter bakery along with extra white buttercream frosting that I could color myself. I searched youtube videos on how to decorate. It was fun and simple and paired perfectly with all the pink accents from the party!

Decorations — Since I envisioned lots of pinks and girly things, I decided to save money and purchase pink roses from Giant instead of ordering from a flower shop. I cut the stems down a bit and used mason jars as my vases. These definitely added a simple, yet dainty touch I was going for. (I picked up a box of mason jars at Walmart and used some for vases as well as drinking glasses.) Keeping cost down but making a big statement, I purchased pink tissue paper to make giant paper flowers. I shopped at Michael’s craft store for colored paper and stickers to make a “Celebrate” banner. They also had cute frames to display and the girls could take for their photos. I also wanted to display some old photos of my daughter along with her friends so I printed photos in various sizes and used ribbon and clothespins to display them throughout the room. For the sweet 16 candy bar, I found plenty of pink candy at Party City. I also purchased a small helium tank and balloons and blew them up once on site. One of my favorites was the personalized cookies from Baked by Rachel. I sent a photo of the invitation (designed by my best friend Jennifer) and Rachel matched them perfectly. I think we accomplished having enough sugar and pink at this shindig!

Not gonna lie… I worked really hard to pull off this two-day party… Lots of planning and preparation, but in the end, I would do it all over again. (Shout out to the hubby too!) I loved every minute of it and I sure hope my daughter remembers this milestone birthday! It was a fun way to explore with friends, celebrate, and make lifelong memories! Would you plan and host a destination birthday party? If so, I promise it will be worth it!

ALOHA! We literally booked a last minute trip to Oahu, Hawaii on a Wednesday, – – and flew out on Saturday! But sometimes last-minute trips turn out to be the best family trips. Not a ton of planning to stress over, just dreaming of white sandy beaches with a breeze and palm trees.

So if you’re looking for a vaca where the city meets the mountains and ocean,

check out all that Oahu, Hawaii has to offer.

Here are some of our favorite family adventures in Oahu, Hawaii.

Sunrise at Makapuu Point — If you are flying from the east coast to Hawaii, chances are you will be up earlier than the sunrise, so you might as well go enjoy the sun rising over the beautiful blue ocean. It is definitely worth the hike up to Makapuu Lighthouse to see this beautiful sight. Check the sunrise times and allow enough time to drive, park and hike the one-mile trail to the lookout. (The lighthouse is off limits). Since the gates may not open until after sunrise, park on the road outside the gate (like the locals) and hike on. The elevation is 500 feet, so a water bottle comes in handy. Breathtaking views of the sunset await you!

Do go chasing waterfalls! We stumbled across the beautiful Hamama waterfall in Kaneohe, Hawaii found on private property that is owned by the Board of Water Supply. It was a beautiful one hour hike to reach the falls (4 miles round trip). A moderate, slippery and rocky hike, but well worth it. There are posted signs so be mindful and stay on the path. The state asks hikers to obtain a permit first, though not mandatory. A nice well kept secret and not a tourist trap…just park legally on the street. Take water, and bug spray. Wear your bathing suit as you will want to jump in!

Chief’s Luau — Highly recommend this Luau! Even though this luau is set in a water park, you quickly forget your surroundings once the show begins. The entertainment is on point with Chief Sielu Avea…funny, talented and a world champion fire-knife dancer. And, if it’s your anniversary, be prepared to be amazed and treated to a sweet moment with your spouse. The Hawaiian feast was really yummy, and the Mia Tai cocktails were refreshing. I really enjoyed the quaint setting and we were really made to feel like ohana (family). If you would like a flower lei, then be sure to book the Royal experience, or you can also purchase one as well.

Hike Diamond Head — Lace up yourtennis shoes, grab a bottle of water and your camera, and head out to see the 300,000-year-old crater, Diamond Head. The view from the top of Diamond Head State Monument is worth the hot hike and when you return, chances are you will be able to refresh with a shaved ice or a pineapple smoothie. If you are pregnant or have health concerns, please note there are steps and steep inclines to hike. Also, depending on the time of day and year, most likely the trail will be crowded with others tourists. Allow two hours round trip. But a must do when in Oahu!

Turtle Bay — When we arrived at the north shore we spent a few hours at Turtle Bay Resort snorkeling and looking for sea turtles. (free parking, beach is public) Definitely, the place to find sea turtles. And plumeria flowers were falling from the trees which meant we could enjoy a little Hawaiian flair in our hair!

Food trucks at the North Shore— if you are staying at the north shore or choose to take a day trip there, you need to pull over and have a picnic at one of the many food trucks. If you like seafood, you’re in luck with the fish tacos, but if you’re like me and not a fan, you can also find a refreshing smoothie. It was nice to support the locals and the food was really good!

Ted’s Bakery at the North Shore — Great coffee and yummy treats! Ted’s bakery was a great find on our drive to the North Shore. Too many items to rave about, so be sure to stop in yourself and take a peek/bite!

Dole Pineapple Plantation — Since we spent more time at the north shore, we didn’t allow time to explore the plantation, however, a trip to Hawaii would not be complete without tasting their famous Dole Whip. So Dole Whip it was! If you do have time to stop by the plantation, hop on the train that will take you around the plantation, walk through the gardens and the get lost in the world’s largest maze!

Deep Sea Fishing — The boys boarded Maggie Joe for a day of deep sea fishing (while the girls hit up the spa!) If you are looking for a guided fishing experience be sure to check them out. Successful day on the deep blue sea!

Shopping and eating at Waikiki Beach — Whether you are a shopaholic or just a dreamer, you will find high-end stores like Tiffany’s & Co., Kate Spade, Rolex to name a few! Visit Duke’s — one of our favorite restaurants. But, rest assured, it will most likely be packed. Making reservations in advance is recommended. Looking for a few gifts to take to friends? Stop by the Honolulu Cookie Company. You can even sample the flavors! Whatever you are looking for, you will most likely find it in Honolulu!

Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon— Ten years prior to this trip, we actually stayed at the Hilton Hawaiin Village (located beside the lagoon, more expensive, oceanfront, but highly recommend). This trip we stayed at the Ala Moana Hotel (less expensive, not ocean front)… we had a car so we drove, parked for free, and enjoyed the beach and lagoon each day. Parking was free at the Ala Wai Harbor (section with free parking, otherwise metered parking). If you’re looking to save money, be sure to visit the Zon (Amazon) before your trip and purchase a float and snorkel kit to use each day at the beach, or pick up one at the local ABC Store. Amazing views of Diamond Head while enjoying the beach. We purchased two beach mats at Walmart and they were perfect for our family of 5! Hanging with my family at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu meant time to relax, talk, float and look for sea turtles.

As my children grow older, I find that quality time is greater than quantity time. We are always going in 50 million directions so when the stars aligned to got to Hawaii, I packed my bag and counted my blessings! Until we visit again, Hawaii. Aloha!

*NOTE: No endorsements here! Just my thoughts and recommendations from my personal travel experiences. I have traveled to the Hawaiian Islands four times and visited Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kawaii.

While living abroad in England our family had the opportunity to travel right at our fingertips. I knew I had to take advantage of living close to so many iconic sights. We were creative when it came to budgeting and always looked for deals. Some of the countries we explored as a family (and even visited many a few times!) were Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Wales, Italy, Austria, France, Sweden, and Poland.

My kids attended the American School in London and luckily for us we had many breaks throughout the school year. Being a stay at home mom (gosh I was so lucky) allowed me time to research, plan and act as the family travel agent! Of course my kids did often moan and groan about seeing one. more. castle. But I knew in the end, one day, they would appreciate these experiences. Here are some things I learned while planning a trip with kids:

Do your research. With so many options on where you can travel and sightsee, research and know what it is you actually want to see. Will it be good for kids? Will they also enjoy? Is there a lot of walking — will you have access to public transportation or will you need to rent a car? Do you need tickets for a particular site? Can you buy them in advance online, cheaper? I would research and read travel books from our library, but today all you have to do is google and read on!

Don’t forget your Passport or Visa? Do you need a passport or a special visa? Be sure to check State Department for more information on what exactly the requirements are for your particular destination. Also check to see if you need special medical treatments, shots, etc.

Determine the best location for hotels. Location, Location, Location. —Finding that perfect hotel is sometimes difficult to pin point. Read reviews on how other guests liked (or disliked) the property. But in the end, find a good and safe location. Sometimes staying a little further away from the main sites is best, but also know how you plan to get around.

What type hotel accommodations works best for your family size? Finding accommodations for a family of over four is sometimes tricky, especially in Europe where they typically have smaller rooms. Most hotels only have 2 beds. There were many trips where we chose to stay in apartment style accommodations over a typical hotel room. This allowed for more bedrooms and many times came with a kitchen, which helped save on food cost. Typically, I found this option was also less expensive than major chain hotels.

Determine your mode of transportation. Planes, Trains and Automobiles —How will you plan on getting to your destination? Will you jump on a train, plane or drive? Depending on how many days you have for your trip may determine your means of travel. If you are going somewhere close, is it best to all jump in the car, or do you need to fly? If budget is a concern, price out all the various travel options, and remember to include gas price and any road tolls. Sometimes you can fly cheaper than driving! (Ryan Air was our go to for cheap European flights). Also, don’t forget to price out additional fees for flying (ex. extra baggage). We had it down to a science when we traveled in Europe… we all had one carry on, and we wore our heaviest coat and winter boots, saving space in our luggage! There were times when we were spotted at the airport shifting things in and out to meet the weight requirements for that checked piece of luggage. If I could go back I would have purchased a luggage scale to have on hand while packing.

Make an itinerary. What is it that you want to see? Many times, there are so many things to see, but if you don’t have a plan, you spend time during your trip thinking, discussing, and wasting time! If you have three kids like me, chances are you will not please them all! They will appreciate seeing the Leaning Tower, or Changing of the Guards, etc., one day! Spend time planning out approximately how much time you need to see each sight, taking into consideration the time for commuting. But remember, if you don’t get to see everything, don’t fret. The main goal is to have fun while making memories with your family.

A game plan reduces stress. Once you have an itinerary… congratulations, you now have a game plan! Gather everyone and have a quick family meeting and review the plan. This will give your kids an overview of the trip and help build excitement while keeping stress to a minimum.

Let your kids pack for themselves. One of the things I always did was allow (or make, ha!) my kids pack for themselves for every trip. I would give them a detailed check list with all the items they would need for the trip and they would gather each necessity and set it out. We reviewed together and then they would pack their bags. And guess what? Once we arrived, they knew exactly what options they had! (plus I could not get blamed for not packing the right items!) Each person always included a rain coat for every trip, and they always came in handy while sightseeing. Our favorite brand was always LLBean, similar to this one here.

Posing for a photo in Brussels Belgium with the Manneken Pis. You can see our LLBean jackets here! They had to cross their arms to cover the reflective patch for the flash.

Add ribbon to your luggage. Many bags are black so tying a colorful ribbon on your luggage makes it stand out. Also be sure to place a secure and sturdy luggage tag in case your luggage is misplaced. I also added a sheet of paper inside luggage with name and phone number in case all else fails, the airport would have a contact from inside the luggage.

Carry a back back. Stock the backpack with snacks and water bottles. (I mean kids are always hungry and buying snacks adds up!) Depending on how small your children are, you can also throw in the necessities (diapers, etc.). BUT be careful with your backpacks! Do not put anything on the outside, like wallets, where you can get pick pocketed. (trust me…) Back packs are great for allowing you to keep your hands free so you can grab your kids hands to help keep them safe while moving about.

Traveling with kiddos is always an adventure (and sometimes challenging). As they get older, they share these special memories together and will talk about the “remember when’s” for a lifetime. Making a plan is key and leads down a path to a successful travel journey wherever you may go!

20 years of marriage… where to go? Cruise for eight days? A trip overseas? Nah, not us. We literally jumped in the car and drove about an hour to the middle of nowhere. To a place called Washington. And I don’t mean Washington, DC. The other Washington… you know, Washington, Virginia. A quaint little town with a lot to offer your five senses.

My hubby surprised me and booked this experience all by himself. (He’s pretty good at that kind of stuff.) He did his homework and it was ah-maz-ing. We drove about an hour out and arrived at the Inn at Little Washington. It was spectacular. As we pulled into the main inn, we were greeted by a bellman wearing a cute hat, who said “Welcome to the Inn at Little Washington, let me help you with your bags”. Now, mind you, we had one bag… I mean we were there for just one night. We are really low maintenance, and you know my hubby can definitely carry his own bag! (funny part was it was a camouflage one!) My husband told the young man, we are fine, but the bellman insisted and said, “If ‘the Chef’ sees you carrying your own bags, I will get into trouble.” (note: Chef is the owner!). So we surrendered and allowed him to carry the camo bag into this beautifully decorated Inn.

As we walked inside, the bellman presented us with champagne and our room keys to the Carter House. Cheers to 20 years of marriage!

Here are my top 10 favorites about the Inn at Little Washington (not in any particular order):

The room key. No lie. It is my favorite. Silly I know. I even bought myself a keyring in the shop (will not tell you how much I paid!) and I carry it every day. It’s like a wonderful reminder of my time spent with my hubby on my 20th anniversary. (You can see it on my home page, it’s the yellow keychain.)

Bathroom. The bathroom was perfection. Really, I mean I dream about this bathroom and how, in my next home, I will design it after this particular bathroom. It was not huge, but just the right space. It had relaxation written all over it. A soaking tub and french doors that opened up to the outdoors, still offering privacy. It was stocked with all the luxurious amenities (shampoo, lotion, etc) to go right along with it.

NO wifi. Being unplugged was one of the best feelings. When you arrive at Washington, VA, you will notice there is no/little cell service. So if you must be reached, one can call the main office and they can transfer the call to your room’s hard line. It was glorious to be unplugged for 24 hours.

High Tea. Who doesn’t love a good British high tea? Beautiful display of biscuits and the tea was delicious. Best part was just sitting and talking.

The Town. The town of Washington has not changed very much since George Washington surveyed it in 1749! It is still a five block by two block grid with only about 150 people. The Town of Washington, a National Historic Landmark is called Little Washington to distinguish it from big Washington, DC.

Turn down service. This is not your typical turn down service. This one was a well thought out, attention to detail kind of turn down. It came with a special journal that was perfectly laid on the pillow.

Patio. The patio was a secluded area with a tranquil fountain, blooming plants and comfy chaise lounge chairs. Perfect for relaxing and reading one of the coffee table books from inside the room.

Dinner. Every course was just an outright “wow” factor. The ambiance was romantic and the service was impeccable. Chef Patrick just knows how to entertain and make you feel like you are a king and queen.

Walking trail and cutting garden. We enjoyed a long walk along the walking trail and through the town. It was a nice way to just get out of the everyday hustle and bustle.

Tavern shops. The shops offered a lot of variety. I loved looking around at all the unique items that were offered. Of course my favorite was the keychain!

So the question is, would I go back again for one night vs. a week long trip, on say a cruise ship? Dang right I would go back again. It just doesn’t get much better than the Inn at Little Washington. The beauty, the service, the food… but really, in the end, it doesn’t matter where you go, it just matters who you are with! I am glad I got to spend my 20th in the small town of Little Washington where all the focus was on each other.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit, it will be worth the investment. I promise.

Driving to Little Washington (told you it was in the middle of nowhere)

Our welcome (isn’t that a cute hat!)

My favorite keychain.

Our room. Isn’t this beautiful?

Flowers my hubby had waiting for my arrival. Just perfect.

The details are never lacking.

This was the most comfy bed.

Entrance to our room. Parlor for making phone calls.

High Tea

This. What a special turn town service touch. Details.

Patio and wine. Doesn’t get much better.

High Tea was so delicious.

View of patio and the fountain.

yes. This!

Robes were so comfy.

Turn down service.

Thank you Patrick. Thank you for appreciating the fine details.

Coffee the next morning. Perfect way to wake up. Coffee is perfection, right?

What was I thinking? Why did it take me soooo long to just do it? To just jump into the world of sharing. Sharing my love for travel and my love of life and all that it has to offer. Just like this piece of drift wood, things sometimes seem to get better and wiser with age. Experiences take on a new meaning and you just seem to look at things differently and through a new lens. So even though this has been in the works for quite some time… um, over a year, I finally took the time to just sit and write, my. first. post. I have come across more time in my life as my kids are going off to college (and where I am not needed quite. as. much.) It’s just, well, overdue. So I plan to use this blog to not only share my current travels, but I also plan to share past trips and memories/tips in hopes it will help to inspire you to get out and see what all the world has to offer.

Disclaimer: since I self diagnosed myself with attention deficit disorder (for real), I will most likely be all over the map (pun intended) here on this blog. And so for that, I apologize in advance if you are one who likes to stick to one type of topic or storyline… I, my friends, hope to share not only travel, but my love for life and family and all the adventures that come with it. After all we are living in the world of leisure. We just have to go find it.

Disclaimer #2: Remember I have a degree in Leisure Studies, so please don’t judge my style of writing. Or maybe you can judge, I will never know! But really, I am just writing/speaking from my heart… in hopes it will inspire and that I can make a difference in just one person out there!

So, go get your suit on and let’s dive right in and ride this wave together! Let’s see where all it takes us!